Díaz opens a new phase of bilateral cooperation with the UK´s Minister for Work

The Second Vice-President and Minister for Work and Social Economy,, Yolanda Díaz, during the meeting with her British counterpart, Secretary for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall

"We have exchanged ideas and projects and identified common positions that are shaping up as a good basis for bilateral cooperation to advance the rights of workers," said Vice-President Díaz.

Labour reforms

Kendall, who is part of the new British Labour government established after last July's elections, is a pro-European politician who in recent years has advocated a living wage for workers.

The labour politician explained to Díaz her department's priorities, which include strengthening the rights of wage earners and ending labour flexibility in favour of employers alone, measures she intends to promote through social dialogue.

In this respect, Díaz pointed out that negotiations are currently underway with the social partners to reduce the working week from 40 to 37.5 hours.

She also analysed with Kendall the wide-ranging package of reforms she has promoted from her ministry, and which have led to an improvement in employment and its quality. "Today more than 21.2 million people are working in Spain, more than ever, and thanks to the 2021 labour reform we have reduced our temporary employment rate in private employment to below the European average", said the vice-president.

She stressed the importance of reaching agreements within the framework of social dialogue due to the legitimacy it gives them, as well as the catalysing effect

of the Minimum Interprofessional Wage, which has increased by 54% in the last five years, on the labour market. Kendall also expressed interest in mental health initiatives and active employment policies.

"In Spain and the UK, the best way to take care of our democracies is to extend labour rights," the minister said at the end of the meeting.

Meetings with Nowak, Jones and the Hispanic community

In Díaz's first official visit to the UK, the vice-president also met with leader Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the UK's largest trade union confederation, the Trades Union Congress (TUC). The two discussed the high level of labour unrest in the UK in recent years following decades of neoliberal economic policies, which have been detrimental to workers' rights.

The meeting took place on Wednesday evening at the headquarters of Britain's leading trade union confederation, which goes back more than 150 years. Afterwards, the minister met with writer and activist Owen Jones.

Díaz closes her visit to the UK today with a meeting at the embassy with the Spanish community resident in the country.

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